Liverpool Continue Their Top Four Push at Stoke

The result means Liverpool are nine points clear of Arsenal in fifth, although the Gunners do have three games in hand, as they look to secure a return to the Champions League.

The home side were on top for much of the opening half but they had to wait until the stroke of half-time to lead.

Stoke will be hard to break down at home and Mark Hughes will be well aware of the problems Liverpool's attack pose.

Liverpool's Champions League push stuttered in midweek when they conceded a late goal to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth and Coutinho's unavailability would leave resources stretched for a fixture which has proved hard in the past.

Liverpool winger Sadio Mane's operation to rectify the meniscus damage in his left knee is pencilled in for Tuesday morning.

Jurgen Klopp will have to be wary of Stoke's potential from set-pieces, particularly after his side looks rattled everytime Bournemouth had a corner or free-kick in midweek.

'If you know when you look forward you've got movement, you've got players who want the ball under pressure, you've got a player now who wants to make things happen all the time: Coutinho.

Liverpool are undefeated in their last 5 matches (Premier League). "It is when they face sides like Stoke that Jurgen Klopp's side have faltered", said Redknapp. Liverpool have won six of their last seven league games against Stoke and if they manage to take three points tomorrow then it would be huge win for them heading into their final six games.

This is a big blow for Liverpool, who are pushing for a top-four finish in the English Premier League (EPL).

There had been hopes he might avoid surgery, but Liverpool have decided the best course of action is to disregard the remaining few weeks of this campaign and get Mane fit for next season.